For the Favor of Mars

Posted on Wed May 7th, 2025 @ 6:26am by Caeda & Lord Khalon Price

Mission: Historiae Terrae Et Imperii
Location: Amalienborg Palace
Timeline: Date 2372-02-10 at 1415
3249 words - 6.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Amalienborg Palace had stood in the city of Copenhagen for centuries. The four separate palaces that comprised the area all served their own purposes through the years, sometimes strictly as residences for the Lord Mayor’s extended family, sometimes as government buildings, but their exteriors had remained largely the same with the only upgrades made being those for added security, even then they were closely styled to the original architecture. For the past three generations, the Nielsen family had ruled Copenhagen as Lord Mayors. They were popular enough with the citizens, though the city lacked notoriety despite being the capital of Denmark; the country had been continuously overshadowed by its northern Nordic neighbors for decades, and it didn’t seem like that would change any time soon.

The Lord Mayor’s residence was a hub of activity. Only two days ago they had been informed that High Lord Khalon Price of Mars wished to visit them. There was no reason given, but Alma Nielson, wife of Lord Mayor Karl Nielsen, had certainly been sent into a frenzy to make sure her house was in perfect order to entertain someone of Lord Price’s rank. Part of that order included making sure her newly turned eighteen daughter Thora was presentable and understanding that she must do her best to impress. In Alma’s mind, what else would Lord Price be visiting them for?

A single sleek black car with unseen wheels and a seamless transition between body and window slid past the guard posts outside the palace, having signaled the identity of the VIP it carried. When he traveled off of Mars, he was often accompanied by the Martian Guard. He had decided to forgo that formality for this occasion. This meeting would be as discreet as it reasonably could be. It wasn’t lost on Khalon that a lot of buzz centered around him, but he had managed to avoid the paparazzi.

The car stopped and the back door seemed to appear out of nowhere as it opened. A man stepped out in a cream colored suit that hugged his frame like a glove with a white button-up left open at the collar and a brown belt to compliment his polished shoes. As usual, he smelled like a dream, and he smiled handsomely as a slightly flustered-looking attendant came over to collect him.

Before he knew it, he was being ushered into a beautifully decorated reception room where the Nielsen family had gathered to welcome him. He started with a powerful handshake to the Lord Mayor. It would be up to him to introduce the rest.

“Good evening, thank you for having me, my Lord. I’m Lord Khalon Price of Mars.” He said, his introduction perfectly superfluous.

Karl’s grip was strong in return, and he offered a respectful nod to Khalon. Karl was a man who screamed “average”. There was nothing noteworthy about his looks; slightly above average height, average features, average fitness, average brown eyes. The man would never stand out in a crowd, but he was at the very least dressed fashionably in a navy suit with his blonde hair slicked back.

“Welcome to my home, Lord Price. Allow me to introduce you to my family.” He angled his body to the side and brought his wife up with one hand. “This is my wife Alma.”

Much like her husband, Alma was quite average. Shorter and with a perfectly “okay” body a bit on the fuller side as if she had never lost the weight from bearing her children. Her face was pretty, but that was obviously due to the careful application of makeup to make her look her best. Her navy dress was last season’s fashion, but it did look decent on her. She curtsied to Khalon.

“It’s an honor to host you here.”

“The honor is mine.” Khalon said, searching her blue eyes with a devastating smile. He took her hand in his and pressed his lips to it, ever the charmer. Then he turned to the others in the room. “And these must be your children.”

“Yes.” Karl said and turned toward his three children. “My eldest, Karl Egon, regretted he couldn’t be here, but he had already made commitments of attendance to another social gathering. This is my second son Johannes.”

Johannes, like his parents, was rather average in basic looks, but at twenty he seemed to understand his own failing and had remedied that quite a bit by looking after his grooming and fitness. He was well muscled, and his sandy blonde hair was styled in one of the popular longer cuts. He reached out for Khalon’s hand.

“Pleasure.”

Khalon shook the manna hand firmly, no question about his own confidence. His smile retracted to one more fitting for a man.

“Johannes. Nice to meet you.”

“And this is my youngest daughter Ida.” Karl indicated to a girl who was likely around eight and dressed in a cute purple dress. It was hard to tell whether she would inherit her parents’ average looks at this age or not, but she smiled up at Khalon brightly, seeming unashamed she was missing one of her front teeth.

“Hi!”

Khalon’s smile brightened tremendously. He’d always loved little kids. He shook her hand gently.

“Hi, Ida. You’ve got a lovely dress on.”

Ida smiled and immediately grabbed her skirt, holding it out and twisting her body back and forth to show off her dress a bit more. “Thank you. It’s my favorite one.”

Karl seemed content to allow Khalon to decide when he wanted to disengage with Ida on his own, and only when he did so did he finish the introductions.

“And this is my eldest daughter Thora.”

Thora was decidedly not average in the slightest. High cheekbones, full pink lips, piercing blue eyes, and a head of thick dark brown hair that almost seemed to sparkle in the light. Her body had modest but noticeable curves, but what truly stood out was her impressive chest that seemed to strain against the confines of the form fitting black dress she was wearing. The only average thing about her was her height. She tipped her head to Khalon and then curtsied, sending a wave of her hair tumbling elegantly over a thin shoulder.

“Lord Price.”

As far as looks went, she would certainly do the job. He’d done his research and knew that she was beautiful, though he would have to admit he was surprised at how beautiful. He gave her a once over, offering an expression that was warm and inviting, though there was a hint of edge to it.

“You are a vision.” He said, taking her hand and leaning down. His full lips met her knuckles slowly and his eye drifted back up to her face. “Your reputation holds up to reality, my Lady.”

Thora demurred, lowering her eyes from his more intense gaze, but before she spoke they briefly flicked back up to look at him. “You’re very kind, Lord Price. I’m not sure yours truly does you justice though.”

Khalon’s grin turned genuinely amused. The compliment came easy, but what impressed him was something much more important: she was smart. Hopefully smart enough to take the deal he had to offer. He looked at her a long while, a sort of intense calm settling between them.

“Lord Nielsen, I'm sure I could stare into your daughter’s eyes all evening.” Khalon said, not shifting his gaze as he spoke. “Have you thought about having her apply for a season at court? I’m sure all the boys there would fall over themselves to arrange a match with you for her hand. I certainly would.”

Karl opened his mouth to answer, but it seemed Alma couldn’t quite contain herself any longer. “Would you really?” She asked, taking a step forward toward Khalon and looking up at him. “We had thought about it but the competition is so… fierce.”

Khalon squeezed Thora’s hand and then released it, turning to her mother.

“It is, but not when you have a face like Thora’s and a brain between your ears.” Khalon said, talking about the game at court more than anything else. “I’m surprised you haven’t sent her yet.”

“I wanted Thora to finish her education. It is important to me that my children are educated and up to date on current events so they can carry on conversations.” Karl noted. “She’s also reached the age of majority as of last month, so we can truly consider what would be her best match.”

Thora simply stood quietly, quite used to being talked about in this way when she was standing right there, it was relatively common practice after all.

“It’s a tough selection to pass. Her Imperial Majesty is very selective, and cares more about blood than she does about brains or beauty.” Khalon said, eyeing Thora. “I could pull some strings and get you a spot if you’d like. One look at you, and some powerful Lord would do anything he can to get a ring on your finger.”

“Well who could say no to that.” Alma replied for her daughter and continued before Thora had any chance to speak. “Would you like a tour of our gardens, perhaps? They are quite lovely this time of year.”

“Yes, I really would.” Khalon said, Grace fully in tact as he turned to the 18 year old woman. “Thora, will you show me the beautiful gardens?”

“Of course, Lord Price.” Thora replied. Her voice was softly accented and pleasant, and when she smiled it lit up her face even more. “Please.”

She indicated the way they would be going and then started to walk. Karl gestured for one of his house guards to follow as chaperone. As they exited the main palace and headed along the well kept path, the man seemed fully inclined to give them their entire space while only keeping them in eyeline, but he didn’t seem too worried about that either.

“Sorry about my mom, she gets excited.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s normal.” Khalon said, waking with her at a slow pace among the evening flowers. “To be honest with you, most mothers get excited when I’m around. I couldn't tell if you were excited though.”

“I’m too curious to be excited, really.” Thora shrugged, replying honestly. “I can’t figure out why you would possibly be here. It surely isn’t for me, I’m a relative nobody and you’re High Lord of Mars; it isn’t like we have met before or had any sort of friendship that might override the fact my family is small and my city doesn’t have much to offer.”

“Because I heard you were beautiful and intelligent.” He said, striding next to her confidently. “Intelligent enough to know when an opportunity is too good to pass up.”

“Oh? What kind of opportunity might that be, Lord Price?” She asked, looking at him with a quirked brow and skeptical gleam in her blue eyes.

“Rubbing elbows with one of the most powerful people in the Empire, learning things no tutor could ever teach you, and in the end, a match that will change your family forever…if you’re good.” He said, looking at her with an expression full of dark mystery and seduction. “How does that sound?”

“I’d say it sounds potentially dangerous.” Thora replied honestly and shrugged her shoulders. “Who would the match be with?”

“I’ll tell you after you say yes.” Khalon said, licking his full lips. “Nothing else would do. Caution is the first step of conquest. I can tell you no one of any importance is going to find you here.”

“You’re right, but trouble also won’t find me here. I can’t say yes without knowing a little more.” She shrugged again. “It wouldn’t be intelligent of me.”

“Well you can’t learn anymore.” Khalon said frankly, though it almost sounded like good news coming from his honey lips. “Do you want a life with no trouble? Marry a wealthy commoner from Copenhagen and settle down to a quiet life?”

“That doesn’t sound so bad, really.” Thora paused at one of the large flowering bushes and considered it. “You can surely give me at least a hint of what I would be doing.”

He walked with her in silence for a few moments, and it wasn’t clear if he was thinking or merely letting the peace of the garden descend on them for a space.

“Maybe I can, but it depends.” He said, finally breaking the quiet. “What do you want, Thora? Not what you’re supposed to want or what your parents want for you. What do you want?”

“I’d like to live a little and do something meaningful before I’m trotted out like a prized broodmare ready for auction.” She said honestly while looking at him. “Like, I want to settle down eventually but I’m only just eighteen.”

“What I’m proposing would give you memories to best those of anyone, even the highest echelons of the court. And it wouldn’t be permanent.” He said with a grin. “Perhaps a bit risky but I’ll protect you on my honor. You’ll be able to return to your life here whenever you want.”

“Hmm… and what other benefits would this offer besides some match at the end and memories?” She asked, her eyes falling on his full lips as he grinned.

Khalon watched her, reading her expression with crystal clarity. He paused in his walking and leaned in just a bit.

“Again, that comes down to what you want, Thora.” He said, his voice low.

Thora looked between his lips and eyes as he leaned in closer, eventually pulling back just slightly to give herself space. “Well, what if I said you?”

He smirked, turning and walking with her again to keep up appearance.

“I’d say the feeling is mutual.” He said. It wasn’t the first time he’d strung a woman along, after all. Princess Elena was a prime example. It was messy work, but if that was the angle, that was the angle. “Do what I say when I say it, and there’s nothing in the Empire I won’t find a way to get you.”

This time, Thora smirked. “I’m young, but I’m not that naive, Lord Price. I simply wanted to know if you were going to be honest with me… because how could I trust you at your word if you aren’t?”

“Wise enough to know that I came here with some power behind me, and that I can give you what you want quite easily.” He said, eyeing her. “Whether I will or not depends entirely on circumstances. I’ve made certain other commitments which prevent me from..giving you what we both want for now.”

They took a bend in the garden, his fingers moving to brush the flowers gently.

“I take it you aren’t a virgin.”

“Well that is an entirely rude and improper insinuation.” Thora’s brows raised. “Why exactly would that matter in this case?”

“Yes, it is, isn't it? Being gallant all the time gets a bit boring. Seduction is full of lies, and you want honesty. Or so you say.” He said, looking at her. “I’m asking because I want you to make someone very powerful fall madly in love with you. You’ll be taught the skills if you’re willing, but I’m curious how you see the world and the power you wield in it.”

“I’m willing to learn new skills for the right motivation.” She walked closer to him, her blue eyes trailing over his profile. “You sound like you could offer that indeed.”

He eyed her, realizing she was exactly the girl he was looking for in this mission he was on. She had a mind that understood the Terran nature. She was perhaps interested in him, but she was also trying to manipulate him.

“Would you consider yourself a discreet person?” He asked.

“If I wasn’t discreet, you’d have facts, not insinuations, don’t you think?” She replied, her voice flirtatious and mildly challenging.

“If you weren’t discreet I could teach you to be.” He said, pausing and putting his hand on the base of a garden statue. He observed the fine craftsmanship for a moment in peace. “You’re as discreet as you want to be. I’m busy in Rome building a house of cards. Someone like you..might try to knock it down. So I’m afraid I have to ask you again…”

They were obscured by the statue now and could no longer be observed by the guard, a man who seemed genuinely unworried about this fact before. Khalon leaned in a bit again, his eyes locked in hers.

“What do you want? You don’t have the mind of a girl who wants some fun.”

“I’ll be honest with you and say I don’t exactly know right now, but whatever path I take I know I will need money and connections. I want to build a life that is mine before anyone else’s, and I will need those things to do that. I want to be able to invest in things, build a business, and not have to rely on someone else unless I want to. I want the power of choice.” She leaned in closer to him, not shying from him.

“If you can give me that, then I will give you what you need.”

“I can.” He said, his eyes moving to her perfectly formed lips before he looked back into her eyes. “Expect a call from the Palace in the next few days, if you’re committed. As soon as you get to Rome, following all the formalities, come to me. You’re good, but you have a lot to learn before we begin.”

“Well then I shall see you soon, I imagine, Lord Price. Now are you going to stay for the rest of the day, or what excuse shall I give my parents as to why you hastily left my home?” She asked and quirked a brow.

“Tell them you’re going to Court. They won’t care about the rest.” He said with a mirthful grin. “Until next time, Thora.”

He turned then and walked back toward the guard without her, making his way toward the palace and the exit. He had accomplished what he’d come for, and no amount of work would get him any further along. Only once, he turned his head and looked over his shoulders at her, his eyes full of interest and mystery, and then he was gone from her view.

Thora was watching him go with interest, but it wasn’t the extremely intense interest that Khalon was used to from most women. Instead it was subdued, desiring, but understanding the desire would likely never be met. Once he was out of sight, she turned with her escort and made her way back to the house to inform her parents that she would indeed be going to court, but they didn’t need the other details.

END